Exchange Student's Experience in Szeged, Hungary by Felix

Why did you choose to go to Szeged, Hungary?

Because of a mandatory exchange program that ensures that I visit a partner University. I choose Szeged because the University's courses are taught in English.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

It was not an Erasmus funding. I funded myself.

What is the student lifestyle like in Szeged?

A bit of a routine. From my experience, your lifestyle will be determined by the little circle of acquaintance that you meet.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Szeged to other students?

The city is well-organized with a lot of classical architectural design. The University has a multi-campus system with different faculties.

If you are the type that loves quiet cities, Szeged will be a good choice. My interaction was limited to my faculty and the library, so I cannot give a broad recommendation about the University. My program coordinator was very nice and helpful. And the library? Fit for purpose.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Szeged?

For a low-budget, finding accommodation in Szeged is a bit challenging. However, it is best to approach the search very early with some funding set aside for this.

How much does it cost to live in Szeged?

Food is pretty affordable and the cost of living is not high.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Like every new language, I will say the language is challenging. This is also coupled with the fact that it might take a while to meet up with a native who can be your language buddy.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Szeged in the future?

The language barrier means that getting help from some public officials(excluding those at the University and the "Foreigners Authority") might be difficult.

Therefore, even little details as forgetting to write your student number on your monthly transport ticket(which is a compulsory requirement) will earn you a booking, as if you never bought the ticket. And forget it, usually the "control team" will not even communicate with you.

Therefore, prospective students should ensure that they try as much as possible to avoid such issues. Follow the tips from the University officials to the latter and you will be OK.